Red
A citizen argues that the Constitution cannot protect a particular individual liberty because that liberty is not specifically written anywhere in the Constitution. Another citizen responds that the fact that a right is not specifically listed does not necessarily mean that the people do not possess it.
9th
A high school student writes an editorial for the school newspaper criticizing a new state education policy. The principal tells the student that students are not allowed to publicly criticize government officials and orders the newspaper not to publish the article. The student argues that the government cannot punish people simply for expressing their political opinions.
1st
After a major military conflict, Congress passes legislation requiring private citizens to allow U.S. soldiers to stay in their homes without the homeowner's permission. A homeowner challenges the law, arguing that the government cannot force civilians to house soldiers in their private residences during peacetime.
3rd
A state passes a law that treats citizens differently based on race. A group of citizens challenges the law, arguing that the state government has a constitutional obligation to provide equal protection of the laws to people within its jurisdiction.
14th
The Constitution establishes a process for dealing with a situation in which the president becomes unable to perform the duties of office. The amendment also provides a mechanism for temporarily transferring presidential powers and responsibilities to the vice president.
25th
Police officers receive information that a man may have illegal items inside his apartment. Without obtaining a warrant or establishing probable cause, officers enter the apartment and search through his bedroom, desk, and personal belongings. The man argues that the search violated his constitutional protection against unreasonable government searches.
4th
A state court sentences a person convicted of a relatively minor offense to an extremely harsh punishment and imposes an extraordinarily large fine. The defendant argues that the punishment is unconstitutional.
8th
A defendant is arrested and charged with robbery. The defendant's trial is repeatedly delayed for several years even though there is no legitimate reason for the delays. When the trial finally begins, the government also refuses to allow the defendant access to a lawyer. The defendant argues that several constitutional protections concerning criminal trials have been violated.
6th
The federal government establishes a tax on individuals' earnings. Critics challenge the federal government's authority to impose a tax directly on income, but the Constitution has been amended specifically to authorize Congress to impose an income tax.
16th
A person is arrested and charged with a federal crime. During questioning, prosecutors attempt to force the defendant to provide testimony that would directly establish the defendant's own guilt. The defendant refuses, arguing that the government cannot force someone to be a witness against himself in a criminal case.
5th
Congress adopts a constitutional amendment limiting a president to two elected terms in office. A future president argues that voters should be allowed to elect the same president for as many terms as they want, but the Constitution now establishes a limit on how long one person may serve as president.
22nd
A state requires citizens to pay a $25 fee before they are permitted to vote in a federal election. The state argues that the fee is simply a requirement for participating in elections, but opponents argue that the Constitution prohibits this particular practice in federal elections.
24th
During a national debate over voting rights, Congress and the states lower the voting age so that citizens who are 18 years old can participate in elections. The amendment is partly connected to arguments that young adults old enough to serve in the military should also have the ability to vote.
26th
A newly elected president wins the November election but does not immediately begin serving as president. The Constitution establishes a specific date for the terms of the president and members of Congress to begin, reducing the length of the period between an election and the beginning of a new term.
20th
A presidential candidate wins a majority of the electoral votes. When electors cast their votes, however, they cast separate votes for president and vice president rather than casting a single vote for a presidential ticket. This constitutional system was established in response to problems that occurred during early presidential elections.
12th
A defendant is arrested and brought to court. The judge schedules the trial several years later even though the defendant has repeatedly requested an earlier trial and there is no legitimate justification for the delay. The defendant argues that the government has violated a constitutional protection associated with criminal prosecutions.
6th
A city requires anyone who wants to hold a political demonstration in a public park to obtain a permit. The city applies the requirement to all groups equally, but a group argues that the government cannot use the permitting system to arbitrarily prevent people from gathering
1st